You may think it's a bit late to start planning your frugal Christmas - but be positive - there's plenty of time to start planning for Christmas 2013!
Frugal is not mean, miserly or miserable - it's being wise with your money to make it stretch further in the direction you want it to. It's a kind of game and if you're up for the challenge - you can get a bit of a buzz out of your bargains and your wheeling and dealing.

Wednesday, 31 December 2008

LAST FEW CHRISTMAS MONEYSAVERS!

Well, there are only a few "days of Christmas" left - so here's my round up of Christmas moneysaving:

as you take down your cards, put aside those that can be cut up into neat rectangles and hole-punched for next year's gift labels

as you pack away your decorations check any that are tatty or worn out - get round the shops quick to buy new ones reduced in the sales (but only if you can really afford it)

check out the sales for next year's gifts (again only if you are not in debt for this Christmas)

make a list of birthdays coming up and see if there are sale bargains to be had for gifts

buy crackers, paper Christmas cards etc while it's cheap - who knows how hard up we may be next Christmas? Today I've bought three 8metre rolls of Christmas wrapping paper for £1.94 and a box of 12 good crackers for £3.50- and a set of 3 photo albums in a slip cover (new and still shrink wrapped) from the charity shop, for 50p!

as you tidy up all your Christmas gifts - put aside those you know you will not use and either sell them on ebay, recycle them as gifts for next Christmas (but make a note of who gave them to you!) or send them to the charity shop.

Lastly, if this Christmas has been a financial nightmare, start thinking about next year - and save, save, save. Clear your debts as soon as possible, if you don't have one, start a savings account (ISA first) and put something (however small) into it every month. Make this the year you achieve whatever it is that you want to - lose debt, lose weight, save for that bigger house, get the new job whatever it is - give it a go and, most important of all have a Happy New Year! and keep up with more moneysaving, frugal ideas all year round at Happy Frugal Year.See you all in Christmas 2009 (well, sometime in November anyway!)